secret stones

each day
the dog
would find
a stone,
small, or large
and carry
it into
the house
in it's mouth.
his eyes
shifting from
side to side,
as if he
a secret.
he'd bury
it in a corner,
beneath a
pillow on
the couch,
or in a closet
tucked deep
behind old
shoes. he
loved old
stones.
full of mud
and salt,
whether smooth
or rough, it
made no
difference.
and in doing
so i learned
how much
alike we were.